The Philadelphia Office of Supportive Housing refers 100% of our families from the City's emergency housing programs. Mothers then come for a tour and interview to determine whether they and their children would benefit from the program.

How many families do you serve?

At present, Drueding Center serves approximately 470 families. At any one time, 30 families live in our Residential Program. Our After Care Program was providing case management to 90 graduate families as of the end of 2010. The Blueprint Program, through the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Supportive Housing, enables us to provide case management for 300 additional homeless families each year. And our Youth Services programs, serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, connects resident, graduate, and staff families, as well as families from our Eastern North Philadelphia neighborhood, to child care and our After School Program.

How long do you work with families?

Families can stay in the Residential Program for up to 24 months; the average stay is 10.5 months. Drueding Center is unique because we work with graduate families for up to seven additional years through our voluntary After Care Program.

What is the difference between transitional housing and a shelter?

Shelters primarily provide emergency housing for homeless individuals and families on a temporary basis. Transitional housing is more complex and seeks a permanent solution. Transitional housing programs augment housing with appropriate support services and work with families to achieve independent living within 24 months. Drueding Center distinguishes itself among these programs in the breadth of services we provide to our families.

Where do families go when they leave?

Most Drueding Center resident families qualify for Philadelphia Housing Authority housing and move on to existing public housing. For working mothers with adequate incomes, affordable market-value rentals are within reach. Still, it is exceedingly difficult to find a two-to-three bedroom unit in a safe neighborhood, close to public transportation, schools, and grocery stores, at no more than 30 percent of a mother’s monthly income.

Do you serve victims of domestic violence?

Yes, while we are not a high-security facility specializing in domestic violence cases, Drueding Center’s Clinical Counseling Department, under the auspices of our Residential Services, does offer group and individual therapy and works closely with domestic violence agencies.